Foundation Sponsor

A Decade of Impact in Partnership with EMF

When Dorothy Graham first learned about SAMFund grants, her son, Richard Straesser, had just survived treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. During this challenging time, both Dorothy and Rich became aware of the financial hardship that very often accompanies a cancer diagnosis, an all too common struggle for young adults facing cancer. Moved by gratitude and a desire to give back, they sought out an organization with a mission to help alleviate financial hardship for those like Rich who found themselves faced with a cancer diagnosis as a young adult.

$300,000 Strong: Graham Family Foundation’s Legacy of Support

In 2014, Dorothy found the SAMFund (which became a marquee program of Expect Miracles Foundation in 2019). This connection was the beginning of a long-standing and impactful relationship. Over the last 10 years, the Graham Family Foundation (GFF), founded by Dorothy in honor of her parents, has been one of the largest supporters of EMF’s SAMFund, generously contributing almost $300,000 to support young adult cancer survivors of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Dorothy and Rich’s involvement was deepened in 2018, when Rich had a relapse. He went through intense treatment, including a stem cell transplant, and is grateful to be thriving now almost 7 years later. This experience only renewed their commitment to support young people, exemplified by their generosity of time and resources to the cancer community.

Empowering Young Adult Cancer Survivors: Vital Support and Lifesaving Resources

Over the past decade, GFF has provided essential funding to supplement SAMFund grant awards, offering financial assistance for young adult survivors twice per year. Eligible young adult Hodgkin’s Lymphoma survivors can receive GFF grants as a part of EMF’s SAMFund grant program. Additionally, in 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated housing insecurity, Dorothy worked directly with EMF to create an emergency housing fund to keep young adult survivors in their homes at a critical and uncertain time.

The relationship between the Graham Family Foundation and EMF is grounded in a shared mission to improve the lives of young adult survivors following treatment. Dorothy, with a background in healthcare and administration, and Rich, with his lived experience as a survivor, stay current on advances in the treatment of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and remain closely involved with EMF’s SAMFund program.

Connecting, Supporting, Empowering: The Graham Family Foundation’s Legacy of Hope

The Graham family commitment extends well beyond financial contributions. Through connection with other survivors and families, both Rich and Dorothy acknowledge that their work to connect with this community can be a lifeline to other families who are flailing as a family member receives a new cancer diagnosis. These connections extend the ever growing community of GFF recipients through SAMFund grants each year. The immense gratitude shared by these recipients is echoed by the team at EMF, who are honored to support the goals of the Graham family. Through their generous gifts to EMF’s SAMFund, the Graham Family Foundation has helped countless young survivors focus on recovery instead of financial hardship.